This police procedural I'm attempting is a different experience for me in a lot of ways. Usually when I write a story, it all falls out on the page/screen in order. Rarely do I have to fill in blanks or go back to add or subtract significant passages. With this story, because I'm learning the procedures of police work, I've had to return to multiple places and add information, characterization, "scenery", and all kinds of things. Suffice it to say it's been a unique adventure and a total challenge.
I'm not going to say to you I will succeed. I'm 63+K words into this puppy with much thought, deliberation, and concern, not to mention hours spent writing down those words, but to pronounce with absolute assurance I can make this novel work? No. Can't do that. Not yet anyway. I hope I can pull it off. I do.
I love the characters. Yeah, I know: don't I always? I don't want to leave them stranded in the cyberland of unfinished literary attempts. I'm not a quitter when I really engage in something unless there's just no way to get it done.
The real blessing about this WIP? Detective Patrick Morgan. He's been a huge help. If only I could figure out at this point in the story what exactly I need to ask him. And there lies the main problem. What to ask. Realizing writers have the freedom for "poetic license", there's only so much of a stretch there before mystery or suspense readers recognize the errors. I want to write authentically, and I'm concerned about assumptions.
Pray for me . . . if you would.
Father, please provide what I need to do this work. Your instruction and insights are what I cherish. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.


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